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The 2007 Big Easy Music Awards honor achievement in music and recognize rebuilding efforts

In 2006, New Orleans musicians and the music scene experienced a remarkable year going from returning and rebuilding to rebirth, recording and new resolve. The 19th annual Big Easy Music Awards recognize a year of achievement in music and honor many of the invaluable contributors involved in efforts to bring musicians and their sounds home. The awards will be presented on Tuesday, April 24.

As always, the Big Easy Awards will honor some of New Orleans' most legendary contributors to the local music scene. Allen Toussaint will receive the entertainer of the year award. In spite of losing his home, Toussaint was a frequent face in many of the nationally broadcast benefits calling attention to New Orleans' plight following the failure of the levees. He also enjoyed a prolific year in conjunction with Elvis Costello in creating the album River in Reverse, which is nominated for a best album Big Easy Award, and touring in support of it, including a Jazz Fest appearance. The 2007 lifetime achievement award will go to Ellis Marsalis, paying tribute to his long career as a musician and jazz educator. Vocalist Germaine Bazzle will serve as this year's honorary music chairman. As advocates, spokespeople and fundraisers, Wynton Marsalis, Lillian Boutt, Dr. John, Lars Edegran, Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis will be named Big Easy Music Ambassadors.

The awards will include special recognition of many of the organizations and efforts that helped support New Orleans musicians in a multitude of ways, from organizing benefits for the city to sponsoring performances to developing long-term housing solutions like the Musicians' Village. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival producer and director Quint Davis and veteran Grammy Award show producer Ken Ehrlich will be honored for putting together the From the Big Apple to the Big Easy concert at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Proceeds from the concert and DVD sales benefited the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, Habitat for Humanity, MusiCares and the Children's Health Fund.

For their efforts in making the 2006 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival such a success, Quint Davis' Festival Productions and major producing partners and sponsors AEG Live and Shell Oil will be honored.

Special recognition will be given to many of the organizations that have supported relief efforts for musicians. Those groups include the American Federation of Musicians, Arabi Wrecking Krewe, Habitat for Humanity, Jazz Foundation of America, Neighborhood Housing Services of New Orleans, New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund, New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, New Orleans Musicians' Clinic, Tipitina's Foundation and WWOZ 90.7 FM.

The Big Easy Music awards gala featuring live performances by some of the nominees will be held on Tuesday, April 24. The awards are sponsored by Gambit Weekly, Harrah's New Orleans Casino & Hotel, John Jay, Pernod Ricard, Abita Beer, Coleman Adler & Sons and WWOZ 90.7 FM. Individual tickets are $125, tables of 10 are $1,000 ($1,250 after March 31) and VIP tables are $1,500. The evening includes a buffet dinner and open bar. Contact Gloria Powers at 483-3130 or bigeasy@gambitweekly.com for more information.